As the Town of Queen Creek continues to grow, so are property value estimates as well as costs to offer public safety services townwide. /Queen Creek Independent file photo.

Queen Creek Independent Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story should have said the town’s EMS budget is $18.1 million, which already accounts for the 28 percent increase in estimated costs. And, the EMS budget is not increasing annually at a rate of $10 million, but rather estimates suggest it will increase in totality over the next five years reaching a total EMS budget of $28 million. We apologize for any confusion this may caused.

By Mike Sakal | Queen Creek Independent

As assessed property values in Queen Creek are continuing to increase with hopes of returning to recent recession values, so are the annual costs of public safety services to the town undergoing rapid growth in the southeast Valley.

Town officials are planning to continue using the maximum amount of property tax revenue — $7 million — toward an $18.1 million public safety budget — $11.5 million for the fire department, and $6.6 million for services from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.